Brian Christopher Wittner

Brian Christopher Wittner, age 33, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 10, 2019. Brian was born on July 24, 1985, in Detroit, Michigan. From a young age, Brian overcame obstacles and inspired his family to challenge themselves as well. As a small child, Brian mastered skills he was not expected to — such as drinking from a straw. This enabled him to steal and drink his mother's margarita some years later. After moving from Michigan to California, Brian and his family visited National Park after National Park. Although Brian used a wheelchair, this did not prevent him from hiking miles of rocky trails, with his older sister seeing just how fast they could go on the downhill stretches, leaving their parents quite literally in the dust. On the weekends, Brian loved being on horseback (no smaller animals held his interest, despite his family's best efforts) or swimming and floating the day away in the sun. Partway through his high school career, he relocated back to Michigan and graduated from Cooke School in Northville in 2011. Brian then embarked on a career of day programs, dabbling in constructive crafts. After another move to California, it was time to strike out on his own, moving to a group home and making new friends both with his housemates and new day program collaborators. Whether tussling over toys with his toddler nephew, laughing and singing with his father, or sharing a sunset on the beach with his mother, Brian Christopher Wittner loved and was loved by his family and many friends. He is survived by his mother and father, Cynthia and Nicholas Wittner, his sister Victoria DiMassa (Daniel), his nephew Theodore, and many many cousins, aunts, and uncles. Funeral Masses will be celebrated for Brian in both California and Michigan. On Friday, May 17, at 10:00 a.m. Father Tom Pado, from whom Brian received the Sacrament of First Holy Communion during childhood, will celebrate a funeral Mass at Brian's home parish, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Church (9 Hillgate, Irvine, CA, 92612). A reception at the church hall will follow. A second funeral Mass will be celebrated on May 23 at Saint Thecla Church (20740 S. Nunneley Road, Clinton Twp., MI, 48035), where Brian had joined his Oma and Opa for Mass as a child. Brian will lie in state starting at 9:30 a.m. and Mass will begin at 10:00 a.m. He will then be laid to rest in Resurrection Cemetery (18201 Clinton River Road, Clinton Twp., MI, 48038). Followed by a reception In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Brian would be appreciated at The Epilepsy Support Network of Orange County (esnoc.org) or The Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan (epilepsymichigan.org). If preferred, flowers may be sent to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church on Friday, May 17, between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. or St. Thecla Church on Wednesday, May 22, before 4:00 p.m.

Brian Christopher Wittner

July 24, 1985 - May 10, 2019